Abstract: Shoe uppers having smooth seams and methods for producing them are disclosed. In one embodiment the upper uses thermoplastic seam tape which forms bonds between contiguous upper sections after being subjected to heat and/or pressure. In another embodiment, different parts of the shoe can be joined using hidden seams. Close seams can also be covered with a transfer material adapted to give the interior and/or exterior of the upper a smooth surface. In yet another embodiment, a method is disclosed which allows three-dimensional upper sections to be bonded on a last using thermoplastic seam tape.

Abstract: The device has a support plate (119) provided with drive means (112, 117) for at least one lower part, as well as a plurality of holding plates (85) arranged in one row with an upper receiving surface and a lower receiving surface (93, 94), respectively, for a plurality of upper parts. The holding plates (85) can be rotated through 180.degree. by means of a pivoting device (86, 87, 108) around a symmetrical horizontal axis (L3). After the upper parts have been placed on the holding plates (85), adhesive is applied to the edges of the upper parts, after which the holding plates (85) are pivoted through 180.degree.. The support plate (119) subsequently gathers the upper parts, which are now hanging down, while at the same time the next upper parts can be placed over the receiving surfaces of the holding plates (85), which [receiving surfaces] are now facing upward. The support plate (119) and the holding plates (85) are designed as suction plates that can be turned on and off.

Abstract: A workbench is constructed, with which the individual parts of a two-dimensional compound workpiece, for example, a shoe upper, can be assembled accurately without any need for subsequent adjustment operations. The workbench comprises a central, e.g. stationary, bench plate and at least one folding plate hinged onto it, which can be folded over onto the bench plate. At least the folding plate contains holding devices, e.g., in the form of a suction device, with which the individual part located on it can be held in position before and during folding over. The individual parts are adjusted preferably with templates in a mutually adjusted manner before the folding plate is folded over. The workbench can be used in cooperation with an adhesive applying machine.

Abstract: Equipment for laminating for a shoe upper and a lining through the use of an interposed adhesive layer including a form having portions of different radius of curvatures and two operating side surfaces including a heater and two pressers which sequentially engage the workpiece and shape it to correspond with the form.

Abstract: This invention involves a pallet for use in automatic stitching machines which insures proper registration of a workpiece with respect to the stitching instruments and maintenance of such registration during machine operation. Basically, the pallet is constructed of two outer plates hinged together to form a sandwich type arrangement having openings therein to allow for access of the stitching instruments to the workpiece. These openings are generally identical and are accurately located with respect to the stitching instruments. In the interior of the pallet means are provided for removably securing the workpiece in accurate registration with the stitching instruments. The access openings may be designed to receive overlay or overlapping portions of a composite workpiece and additional outer or interior plates may be provided to accommodate a wide variety of workpieces.

Abstract: A method and a machine for stiffening part of a flexible workpiece, such as the toe portion of a vamp, causes it to register with the tacky layer of a correspondingly shaped molten deposit of thermoplastic which simultaneously is being cooled to effect release. The entire deposit is transferred to the selected toe area and smoothly covers any surface irregularities or apertures. The surface receiving the molten deposit is flat and cooled but not recessed so that peripheral portions of the upper layer of the deposit are not chilled as rapidly as its under layer and remain deformable during register of the toe portion therewith. A workholder preferably includes a substantially rigid margin clamping means cooperative with a yieldable work engaging pad, a relatively non-compressed portion of the pad unmasked by the clamping means defining three dimensionally the adhered charge printed onto the work.